Library

Ratip Berker Library consists of three sections.

1. Information Desk

- Books are borrowed.
- Books are returned.
- Computers are available for accessing library resources.
- Guidance and information are provided regarding the use of the library and its resources.
- Oversized books are located in this section.
- The Textbooks Section is located here.

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Which resources are available in the Textbooks Section?

The Textbooks Section contains core and supplementary textbooks selected by the ITU Commission. Books whose location is designated as "Makina Fak. Ders Kitapları" (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Textbooks) in the library's online catalog search are located here. Textbooks can be borrowed for either two hours or a maximum of one day. Resources loaned for two hours must be borrowed when the library closes and returned the following day by 09:00 AM at the latest. Hourly overdue fines are applied if they are not returned on time.

General Collection Hall:

This hall also serves as a completely quiet study area. The collection is organized on the shelves according to the Library of Congress Classification System. Reference resources, theses, and books are located in this hall. Resources used daily or returned from loan are kept on book carts. If the resource you are looking for is not on its shelf, you should also check the book carts. Book carts also provide a good opportunity to follow frequently read publications. Individual study cabins are located further down the hall. The hall is air-conditioned. Outlets are located by the window side. Wireless internet service is available.

2. Periodicals Hall:

This is the section where periodicals—such as annual, monthly, quarterly, and weekly scientific journals, popular magazines, and newspapers—are made available. Additionally, this hall should be preferred when group studies are to be conducted. Wireless internet is available, and power outlets are located on the pillars. Journals are arranged alphabetically by title. The names of the journals are displayed on the cabinets. When a volume year is completed, the fascicles are bound together. Journals whose subscriptions are no longer active are located on the top shelf. Stools and ladders available in the hall can be used to reach the upper shelves. Used publications must be left on the tables; the library staff responsible for shelving will put them back in their places. New and old issues are kept together. Computer data entries have been completed.

A total of 8 libraries, including 1 central library and 7 branch libraries, operate under the umbrella of the ITU Department of Library and Documentation.

According to the current data of 2023, ITU Libraries possess a rich information-document wealth consisting of over 1 million publications (including 564,923 e-books), 96,978 e-journals, 42,596 visual materials, 6,000 rare works, 7,500 maps, over 200 databases, and more than 5 million electronic theses.

Libraries operating under the Department of Library and Documentation:

- Mustafa İnan Library - Central Library (Maslak)
- Ratip Berker Library (Gümüşsuyu)
- Faculty of Architecture Library (Taşkışla)
- Faculty of Management Library (Maçka)
- School of Foreign Languages Library (Maçka)
- MIAM - Center for Advanced Studies in Music (Maçka)
- Turkish Music State Conservatory Ercümend Berker Library (Maçka)
- Faculty of Maritime Library (Tuzla)

All ITU academic and administrative staff, students, alumni, and retirees can benefit from these libraries without being a member. However, to benefit from loan services, remote database access, ordering publications, and Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services, membership registration must be completed via the library webpage. For detailed information about library membership, please click here.

Alumni, retirees, ITU Foundation and ITU Development Foundation staff, master and doctoral students from other universities, and academic staff from other institutions can only benefit from in library services within the framework of the conditions determined by the University Administrative Board (ÜYK). For detailed information about the library usage conditions, please click here.

Library Loan Limits

Library Loan Periods

Library User Orientation Service: Provided to all library users upon individual requests. This service includes user training on how to use the library and how to access resources.

Library Opening Hours
Library hours are organized according to the summer and academic term schedules. You can also access the library opening hours through the library homepage by clicking here.

Access to the Library Collection
To access the library collection, please click here.

Library Staff Information
The library currently operates with two librarians and one staff member for evening shifts.

Contact
- Fatma Genç İnal: inalf@itu.edu.tr
- Osman Aytaç: aytaco@itu.edu.tr

Historical Development of Ratip Berker Library

Ratip Berker Library is a type of specialized subject library. It has a very rich collection in the fields of Mechanical and Textile Engineering.

The first library of ITU was established in 1796 in Halıcıoğlu, affiliated with the Mühendishane-i Berri-i Hümayun (Imperial School of Military Engineering). A printing house was established within the Mühendishane in 1796. The library collection gradually began to form with publications printed by this press and numerous publications purchased from Europe.

When the name of "Yüksek Mühendis Mektebi" (High Engineering School) was changed to "Yüksek Mühendis Okulu" in 1941, and later restructured as "Istanbul Technical University" with Law No. 4619 on July 12, 1944, the Mechanical Engineering Branch was reorganized as the "Faculty of Mechanical Engineering" consisting of General Chemistry, Aircraft Construction, and Shipbuilding. Numerous departments were established within its structure, and a library was created for each department.

The ITU Central Library also served on the Gümüşsuyu Campus until 1986. Following the Decree-Law No. 124 on the Administrative Organization of Higher Education Institutions and Higher Education Governing Bodies dated October 7, 1983, the Central Library was moved to the Ayazağa Campus. With this law, the Department of Library and Documentation was established, and faculty libraries began to operate under the Central Library.

The Universal Decimal Classification system, which was initially introduced by the Central Library, was continued for a while. In 1997, by the decision of the Rectorate, the Library of Congress Classification System (LC) was adopted. In the same year, the process of gathering the collections found in the various departments of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering into a single library began, starting with the Mustafa Köseoğlu Library. In subsequent years, most departmental libraries handed over their collections to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Library.

In 1998, as the existing library space was insufficient, additional space was allocated to the library. This area was renovated with donations collected, and new publications were acquired. Thus, two halls were created where periodicals and books were placed. The "Nostalgic Hall," made entirely of wooden materials, was designated as the periodicals hall and a group study space. In the newly built space, books, theses, and reference resources were offered, and it was planned as a completely quiet study area. In later years, one more room was added to install individual study cabins. With this restructuring, the library was renamed "Ratip Berker Library" by the Dean's Office. The library collection is protected by a security gate system installed at the entrance and cameras located in the halls.

Chronological Development of Ratip Berker Library

-In 1993, Fatma Genç İnal from the Central Library was assigned to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering library.
-On April 7, 1993, the first library commission meeting was held in the company of a librarian. Following meetings that discussed problems and their solutions, the library began to be restructured with the support of the Dean's Office management.
-In 1993, with the arrival of the internet to the Gümüşsuyu building, efforts began for the library to benefit from it.
-In 1993-94, literature searches using CD-ROM databases began to be conducted in the library.
-The “ITU Library Regulation,” which was accepted at the 166th Meeting of the University Senate dated 03.03.1994, entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette No. 21903 on 12.04.1994.
-A card-operated photocopy machine was acquired.
-As the Classification System, it was decided to switch from the Universal Decimal Classification system to the LC (Library of Congress Classification System) Classification System as of December 1994. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Aksel Öztürk provided great support to the library on this matter.
-As of 1995, it began providing services with two full-time expert librarians.
-On December 09, 1994, it was decided to acquire a computer for the library.
-Loan processes (borrowing) began by obtaining library identification cards from the Central Library.
-With the decision taken at the commission meeting, the library started to provide service until 21:00 in the evening as of April 10, 1995. It provided service between the hours of 09:00-21:00.
-As of July 03, 1995, overdue fine implementation was initiated for books not returned on time.
-A library security gate system was purchased by the Rectorate. Library materials were also adapted to this system.
-In 1995, 4 part-time students began working for a fee.
-On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, festivals consisting of publishing house exhibitions and conversations with authors were organized.
-In 1996, following the passing of library expert Levent Kalyoncu in a traffic accident, Osman Aytaç assumed office as an expert librarian.
-In 1997, the Mustafa Köseoğlu Library was also merged with the Ratip Berker Library.
-At the commission meeting on February 05, 1998, it was decided to allocate a new hall to the library.
-A Book Festival was organized on November 11-12, 1997.
-In August 1997, construction work began for new reading halls, apart from the Nostalgic Hall.
-By the end of 1997, the inventory book collection reached 14,121 items.
-In 1998, the library was renovated through the efforts of the Dean of the period, Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Eğrican, and its name was changed to Ratip Berker Library.
-As of January 1998, INNOPAC software began to be used for library automation. Within September, easy access to the collection of all ITU libraries was enabled from the Ratip Berker Library. Online execution of processes such as reserving publications, borrowing, and returning books was provided. Four user computers and 3 staff computers are available.
-As of October 1, 1998, as publication procurement services, access to publication requests that could not be obtained domestically began to be provided from libraries and information centers abroad using the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) method.
-In January 1998, requests from our academics for journals subscribed to by ULAKBİM started to be fulfilled.
-In January 1998, the CD Network was launched. The system was put into service via a CD tower with a capacity of 190 CDs and a server with a main memory capacity of 512 MB.
-As of February 1998, non-ITU members began to benefit from ITU libraries by becoming members.
-In 1998, the library was renovated through the efforts of the Dean of the period, Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Eğrican, and its name was changed to Ratip Berker Library.
-As of February 1999, services began to be provided in the new reading halls.
-On 13.01.1999, publications belonging to the Chair of Agricultural Machinery were brought.